News You Can Use
January 2011
LIVE REGISTER DECEMBER 2011
During 2011 the standardised unemployment rate remained in the narrow range of 13.9% and 14.4%. The average standardised unemployment rate for the year 2011 was 14.2%. This was an increase of 0.5 percentage points from 2010 when the average rate during the year was 13.7%.
More:
http://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/releasespublications/documents/labourma...
September 2011
AGENCY WORKER DIRECTIVE TO BE INTRODUCED DEC 5TH 2011
Leading Economist predicts Agency Worker Directive will lead to Job losses and reduction in Competitiveness.
In a study of the impending E.U. Agency Worker Directive, Economist Jim Power has concluded that if the directive is transposed in its current form the flexibility of Irelands workforce will be damaged, the country’s competitiveness will be affected and up to 9400 jobs could be lost. In compiling the report Mr Power interviewed employers from the Multinational and state sectors to assess the likely impact of the directive on employers and the economy as a whole. Identifying benefits of the agency worker model for both employers and agency workers Power commented “There are many reasons why certain employers engage staff through agencies but the overriding reason is the flexibility that it permits, the reality is that the jobs created offer convenient high quality employment for many workers in Ireland.”
Ireland recently has seen increased competition from the U.K. for Foreign Direct Investment with lower corporate tax rates to compete with Ireland; our flexible educated workforce is our final trump card. The U.K. however have stolen a march on Ireland by introducing a 12 week qualifying period but the Social Partners have the opportunity to create a competitive advantage for Ireland by agreeing a longer qualifying period “It is difficult to see how the legislation as drafted in its pure form could possibly benefit employers, the agency workers themselves and the economy in general. Government needs to listen to the views expressed by employers of agency workers and apply the legislation in a more flexible manner , with a derogation of up to 12 months and greater clarification of the issues involved” Power said.
Commenting on the report National Recruitment Federation president Colin Donnery said “ with the directive due to be introduced on December 5th , this report is further evidence that the government and social partners need to act quickly to agree a derogation and also ensure that the directive is not gold plated. This will ensure that existing jobs are protected and future job numbers enhanced.”
The National Recruitment Federation will host a comprehensive briefing for Oireachtas members in Buswells Hotel on Thursday 29th of September at 8.30 am.
July 2011
JOINT LABOUR COMMITTEES (JLC) FOUND TO BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL
The court ruling today (7th July 2011) on the constitutionality of Joint Labour Committees (JLC) may be one of the most significant rulings affecting employment legalisation in Ireland. The JLC agreements have now been found to be unconstitutional.
JLC became necessary due to lack of legislation protecting employment prior to a raft of legislation in the 1990’s in order to comply with European directives.
JLC traditionally set terms of employment (wage rates, holiday pay and sick pay etc.) in a number of sectors.
Minimum pay, holiday pay, terms of employment etc. are legislated for by recent Irish legislation.
Sick pay is covered by some JLC but is not legislated for in general employment law.
The state may appeal the decision but there are strong arguments for the demise of JLC in the interest of competitiveness of Irish economy
July 2011
INTERNSHIPS
Internships (5000) are now being organised by the Irish Government.
Candidates must be unemployed and signing on for three months or more in order to qualify. Successful candidates will receive in company training and an additional fifty Euro per week and retain their job seekers payment etc.
Ellis will assist candidates with their applications (no charge) 01 6793561 and assist employers to get involved with the scheme.
John Ellis of Ellis Employment states “This is a positive move and reminiscence of the Work Experience schemes of the 1980’s which resulted in hundreds of young people gaining a foothold in the world of work.”
Ellis Employment provides a multi-layered/multi-discipline Human Resource consultancy and carries on a tradition of recruitment from 15 College Green Dublin 2 established in 1961. http://www.agency.ie
“JobBridge” programme http://jobbridge.ie/
TIDY TOWNS BURSARY
TidyTowns Community Bursary we thought you might like to know that this year SuperValu in association with The Sunday World are offering one lucky community €15,000 to transform its local area. Do you have a community Hall in need of a bit of a facelift , is there a local park that could do with some new equipment or a community garden that could do with a bit of a revamp? If so why not submit your proposal and be in with a chance to win the SuperValu Get Your Hands Dirty Competition.
The winning idea will be one that will transform a valuable community facility or make a significant improvement to the landscape of your local community.
The closing date for entries is Friday 3rd June 2011. Find out more on SuperValu.ie http://www.supervalu.ie/in_the_community/get_your_hands_dirty_competitio...
APRIL 2011
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AWARDS
Corporate Social Responsibility Awards – Two Weeks To Closing Date
Now in their eighth year Chambers Ireland’s Corporate Social Responsibility Awards, run in association with the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs and partnered by Business in the Community Ireland, celebrate and recognise the positive contributions of Irish business both at home and abroad. They offer the business community the chance to promote their efforts in CSR and gain recognition for best practice.
Past winners include Abbott Ireland, An Post, CRH Ireland, Diageo Ireland, Jacob Fruitfield Food Group, KPMG and Vodafone Ireland.
To enter or for more information visit www.csrawards.ie or call 01 400 4300
April 2011
CONSUMER PRICES IN IRELAND +3%PA
Prices rise by 3.0% in the year to March 2011
Consumer Prices in March, as measured by the CPI, increased by 0.9% in the month. This compares to an increase of 0.1% recorded in March of last year. Prices on average, as measured by the CPI, were 3.0% higher in March compared with March 2010.
The EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) increased by 0.5% in the month, compared to an increase of 0.1% recorded in March of last year. Prices on average, as measured by the HICP, were 1.2% higher in March compared with March 2010.
The most notable changes in the year were increases in Housing, Water, Electricity,Gas&Other Fuels (+12.5%), Miscellaneous Goods &Services (+7.6%), Communications(+4.1%) and Health (+4.1%). There were decreases in Clothing & Footwear (-2.6%), Furnishings, Household Equipment & Routine Household Maintenance (-2.3%), Restaurants & Hotels (-1.3%) and Recreation & Culture(-1.3%).
The annual rate of inflation for Services was 3.9% in the year to March, while Goods increased by 2.0%.
The most significant monthly price changes were increases in Clothing & Footwear(+4.0%), Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (+2.9%), Transport(+1.4%), Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+1.0%) and Communications(+1.0%). There was a decrease in Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (-0.8%).
The main factors contributing to the monthly change were as follows:
Clothing & Footwear increased due to a further recovery from sales.
Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels rose due to highermortgage interest repayments and an increase in the cost of home heating oil.
Transport rose mainly due to higher petrol and diesel prices.
Alcoholic Beverages&Tobacco fell mainly due to lower prices for beer,wine and spirits sold in off licences and supermarkets.
The CPI excluding tobacco index for March increased by 1.0% in the month and was up by 3.1% in the year. The CPI excluding energy products rose by 0.7% in the month and increased by 1.9% in the year. The CPI excluding mortgage interest increased by 0.5% in the month and was up by 1.6% in the year.
http://www.cso.ie/releasespublications/documents/prices/2011/Prices/cons...
March 2011
RESTRUCTURE OF THE BANKING SECTOR IN IRELAND
The Central Bank of Ireland notes the announcement made today (31 March 2011) by the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD, on the restructuring of the banking sector.
The Minister for Finance has announced that he intends to combine the EBS Building Society (EBS) with AIB.
It is expected that the State will be required to provide additional necessary capital to Irish Life and Permanent to meet its capital requirements, with the likely result that the State will have majority ownership of the firm. It has also been announced that Irish Life Assurance, and other investment assets of Irish Life and Permanent, are expected to be sold.
The Minister for Finance has advised that customers of Irish Life and Permanent and EBS customers should continue to carry out their business in the normal way. All branches remain open. Customers and policyholders of Irish Life Assurance and Irish Life Investment Management have also been advised to carry out their business in the normal way.
Director for Consumer Protection, Bernard Sheridan, said ‘there will not be any immediate change in how these firms deal with their customers’ accounts. Customers can continue to access banking services as normal. Any questions regarding individual accounts should be directed to their institution through normal customer contact channels. Under the Central Bank’s Consumer Protection Code banks and insurers must act in their customers best interests and the Central Bank will be monitoring these institutions closely during this period.’
The Department of Finance has also confirmed depositors both during and after the transfer will be protected under the Credit Institutions Eligible Liabilities Guarantee Scheme 2010 and the Deposit Protection Scheme.
EBS and Irish Life and Permanent continue to operate as credit institutions authorised and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
The customer contact details for the banks are:
AIB: Phone: 0818300182; www.aib.ie
Bank of Ireland: Phone: 1850 404 142; www.bankofireland.com
EBS: Phone: 1850 654 321; www.ebs.ie
Permanent TSB: Phone: 1890 500121; www.permanenttsb.ie
SUBSTANCE MISUSE AND HOMELESSNESS
Organisations involved in developing long-lasting solutions to reduce the problems for those directly affected by substance misuse and homelessness
Ana Liffey Drug Project (ALDP)... Tony Duffin 01 878 6899 http://www.aldp.ie/
48 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1
Peter McVerry Trust... Fr.Peter McVerry 01 2830745 http://www.welcomehome.ie/frpetermcverry.htm
9 Annsbrook Clonskeagh Dublin14
Merchants Quay Ireland... Tony Geoghegan 01 5240160 http://www.mqi.ie/page.php?id=13 4 Merchant’s Quay Dublin 8
Capuchin Day Centre... Brother Kevin Crowley ofm cap 01 8720770 http://www.homeless.ie/
29 Bow Street Dublin 7.
Focus Ireland Sr.Stanislaus Kennedy http://www.focusireland.ie/index.php/a-message-from-sr-stanislaus-kenned...
http://www.focusireland.ie/index.php/about-us has a number of main offices throughout the country
Dublin 9 - 12 High Street Christchurch Dublin 8 Tel. 01 881 5900
Please email John Ellis Suppliers.ie info@suppliers.ie with further information
December 2010
IRELAND UNEMPLOYMENT RATE NOW 13.5%
Employment decline slows to 3.7% in the year to Q3 2010
There were 1,851,500 persons in employment in the third quarter of 2010, an annual decrease of 70,900 or 3.7%. This compares with an annual decrease of 4.1% in the previous quarter and a decline of 8.8% in the year to the third quarter of 2009. The annual decrease of 3.7% in the number of persons in employment is the lowest fall since the third quarter of 2008 when the rate of decrease was 2.0%.
On a seasonally adjusted basis employment fell by 23,500 in the quarter.
In the third quarter of 2010 there were 299,000 persons unemployed, an increase of 19,200 (+6.9%) in the year. This is the lowest annual increase in unemployment since an increase of 11,300 was recorded in the first quarter of 2008. Male unemployment increased by 9,500 (+4.9%), with the number of
unemployed females increasing by 9,600 (+10.9%). When seasonal factors are taken into account there was a quarterly increase of 3,800 in the numbers unemployed with the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increasing from 13.2% to 13.6% over the quarter.
The long-term unemployment rate in the third quarter of 2010 was 6.5% compared with 3.2% in the third quarter of 2009.
The total number of persons in the labour force in the third quarter of 2010 was 2,150,500, representing a decrease of 51,800 or 2.4% over the year. This compares with an annual labour force decrease of 2.8% or 64,300 in the third quarter of 2009. The overall participation rate declined from 62.5% in Q3 2009 to 61.2% in Q3 2010.
The latest available figures for all EU-27 member states, which are for the second quarter of 2010, show that between the second quarters of 2009 and 2010 Ireland’s employment level fell by 3.6% while its labour force declined by 1.8%.
This compares with a decline in employment of 0.6% in the EU-27 countries
while the size of the EU-27 labour force increased by 0.2% in the year to Q2 2010.
Ireland’s unemployment rate of 13.5% was 4.0 percentage points higher than the EU-27 average unemployment rate of 9.5%. The estimated EU unemployment rate for August 2010 was 9.6% compared with a seasonally adjusted rate of 13.6% in Ireland for Q3 2010.
DETAILS http://www.cso.ie/releasespublications/documents/labour_market/2010/qnhs...
IRISH CONSUMER PRICES RISE by 0.6% in the year to November 2010
Prices rise by 0.6% in the year to November.
Consumer Prices in November, as measured by the CPI, decreased by 0.1% in the month. This compares to no change recorded in November of last year. Prices onave rage, as measured by the CPI, were 0.6% higher in November compared with November 2009.
The EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) decreased by 0.2% in the month, compared to a decrease of 0.1% recorded in November of last year.
Prices on average, as measured by the HICP, were 0.8% lower in November compared with November 2009.
The most notable changes in the year were increases in Housing, Water, Electricity,Gas & Other Fuels (+9.2%), Communications (+2.9%) and Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+2.4%). There were decreases in Clothing & Footwear (-5.5%), Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (-3.3%) and Education (-3.0%).The annual rate of inflation for Services was 2.0% in the year to November, while
Goods decreased by 1.1%.The most significant monthly price changes were decreases in Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (-1.0%), Restaurants & Hotels (-0.4%) and Transport (-0.3%).
There was an increase in Clothing & Footwear (+1.9%).
The main factors contributing to the monthly change were as follows:
Alcoholic Beverages &Tobacco fell due to lower prices for spirits and wine sold in off licences and supermarkets.
Restaurants & Hotels fell mainly due to a reduction in the price of hotel and other accommodation.
Transport fell mainly due to a fall in the price of second-hand cars.
Clothing & Footwear increased due to a recovery in prices.
The CPI excluding tobacco index for November decreased by 0.2% in the month and was up by 0.6% in the year. The CPI excluding energy products fell by 0.2% in the month and decreased by 0.1% in the year. The CPI excluding mortgage interest decreased by 0.2% in the month and was down by 0.7% in the year.
Details http://www.cso.ie/releasespublications/documents/prices/2010/Prices/cons...
NEW SUPPORT FOR AMPUTEES AND CARERS
01 DECEMBER 2010 - Amputee Ireland (Amputee Disability Federation Ireland - ADFI) www.amputee.ie has launched a brochure of essential information on the services and supports available to the over 4,000 amputees in Ireland.
An amputation can result from a medical illness, congenital abnormality or trauma such as a car, farm or factory accident. The purpose of the new resource is to provide essential information and support to an amputee on adjusting to the loss of a limb, using a prosthesis and managing pain and other sensations. The resource also provides information on the support available for the families and carers of amputees.
Mr Michael McWilliam, Amputee Ireland commented: “Amputee Ireland is a charity representing the interests of over 4,000 amputees in Ireland. An amputee needs specific support structures to help adjust to the loss of a limb. Experiencing an amputation is traumatic. However, an amputee in Ireland is not alone. There are a number of agencies who can help and support an amputee to continue to live their life independently. I am delighted that we can, for the first time, now provide amputees with this essential information in one resource. This booklet aims to support and to empower amputees to help them on the road to recovery and independence.”
The booklet, written in simple language and approved by the National Adult Literacy Association (NALA) provides specific information on medical costs and the financial supports available, adapting a home or office, dealing with transport and driving, working and individual rights.
The information brochure can be downloaded at www.amputee.ie or is available on request from info@amputee.ie
Amputee Ireland was set up to help amputees achieve independence, participation, social and occupational integration in the life of the community and encourages new members to join. Membership is free and an application can be downloaded at www.amputee.ie. The charity is currently campaigning for the provision of free prostheses to amputees in Ireland.
LIVE REGISTER DECREASES BY 4,200 in NOVEMBER 2010
Seasonally adjusted Live Register decreases by 4,200 in
November
On a seasonally adjusted basis there was a monthly decrease of 4,200 in the Live Register in November 2010. The number of persons on the Live Register now stands at 425,002 which represents an annual increase of 11,497 (+2.8%) in the
unadjusted series. This compares with an increase of 17,146 (+4.2%) in the year to October 2010.
Other features include:
There was a decrease of 2,600 males and 1,600 females in the seasonally
adjusted series in November.
The average net weekly decrease in the seasonally adjusted series in November 2010 was 1,050, which compares with a weekly decrease of 1,320 in the previous month.
The standardised unemployment rate in November was 13.5%, down from 13.6% in October. This compares with 13.2% in the second quarter of 2010, the latest seasonally adjusted unemployment rate from the Quarterly National Household Survey.
The Live Register is not designed to measure unemployment. It includes part-time workers (those who work up to three days a week), seasonal and casual workers entitled to Jobseekers Benefit or Allowance. Unemployment is measured by the Quarterly National Household Survey and the latest seasonally adjusted figure, for April to June 2010, is 284,500 persons unemployed.
MORE DETAIL http://www.cso.ie/releasespublications/documents/labour_market/2010/lreg...
CONSUMER PRICES RISING IN IRELAND
Prices rise by 0.7% in the year to October 2010
Consumer Prices in October 2010, as measured by the CPI, remained unchanged in the month. This compares to a decrease of 0.2% recorded in October of last year. As a result, prices on average, as measured by the CPI, were 0.7% higher in October compared with October 2009.
The EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) increased by 0.1% in the month, compared to a decrease of 0.2% recorded in October of last year. As a result, prices on average, as measured by the HICP, were 0.8% lower in October 2010 compared with October 2009.
The most notable changes in the year were increases in Housing, Water, Electricity,Gas & Other Fuels (+9.4%), Communications (+2.9%), Transport (+2.1%)and Miscellaneous Goods &Services (+2.1%). There were decreases in Clothing& Footwear (-7.2%), Furnishings, Household Equipment & Routine Household Maintenance (-2.9%) and Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (-2.7%).
The annual rate of inflation for Services was 2.1% in the year to October, while Goods decreased by 0.8%.
The most significant monthly price changes were increases in Health (+1.1%),Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+0.5%) and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (+0.4%). There were decreases in Clothing & Footwear (-0.7%)and Education (-0.7%).
The main factors contributing to the monthly change were as follows:
Health rose primarily due to an increase in prices for prescribed drugs.
Miscellaneous Goods & Services rose mainly due to higher charges
for house and motor car insurance.
Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels rose mainly due to an increase in the cost of electricity.
Clothing & Footwear fell due to sales.
Education fell due to decreases in third level tuition and maintenance costs.
The CPI excluding tobacco index for October increased by 0.1% in the month and was up by 0.8% in the year. The CPI excluding energy products showed no change in the month and decreased by 0.2% in the year. The CPI excluding mortgage interest increased by 0.1% in the month and was down by 0.5% in the year.
PENSIONS BOARD CASE AGAINST CONSTRUCTION COMPANY DIRECTOR
Pensions Board case against construction company director is adjourned to allow director time to come up with money for the pension scheme.
Pensions Board case against construction company director is adjourned to allow director time to come up with money for the pension scheme.
Tuesday 9 November 2010: In Ardee District Court yesterday, Judge Clyne adjourned The Pensions Board case against Louis Tighe, director of H.T.E Limited (In Liquidation), until 9 May 2011. The adjournment is to allow time for Tighe to come up with monies for the Construction Workers Pension Scheme (CWPS).
Louis Tighe, with an address at Drumsillagh, Drumconrath, Navan, Co. Meath, was a director of H.T.E Limited (In Liquidation) a company which had deducted pension contributions from the wages and salaries of its employees between March 2007 and July 2009 for remittance to the trustees of CWPS and failed to remit the pension contributions to the trustees within the statutory timeframe.
Ger Clarke, in giving evidence on behalf of The Pensions Board, stated that, on foot of receiving complaints from employees, this employer had deducted pension contributions from wages and salaries but failed to remit them to the pension scheme. Board staff carried out a search of the company’s premises on 2 October 2009 to investigate this matter. It was stated in Court that it was estimated that the employees’ pension contributions which were deducted from employees’ wages and salaries but not remitted to the scheme came to €211,611.01. This meant that employees working for that company were not covered for pension benefits, sick-pay benefits or death benefits between March 2007 and July 2009.
The Pensions Board supervises occupational pension schemes and monitors employers’ compliance with the legislation relating to the collection and remittance of pension contributions.
Commenting on this case, the Chief Executive of The Pensions Board, Mr. Brendan Kennedy, said, “This case is a warning to all employers and directors that The Pensions Board treats the failure of the employer to pass on pension contributions to the trustees of the pension scheme as a very serious offence. We advise any employer with outstanding pension contributions to contact the pension scheme to regularise their position.”
October 2010
IRISH PENSIONS BOARD PROSECUTES DIRECTOR
The Pensions Board prosecutes Director for non remittance of pension contributions
http://www.pensionsboard.ie/en/News_Press/News_Press_Archive/The_Pension...
PRICES RISE IN IRELAND BY 0.5% in the year to September 2010
http://www.cso.ie/releasespublications/documents/prices/2010/Prices/cons...
Consumer Prices in September, as measured by the CPI, decreased by 0.1% in the
month. This compares to a decrease of 0.4% recorded in September of last year.
As a result, prices on average, as measured by the CPI, were 0.5% higher in
September compared with September 2009.
The EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) decreased by 0.2% in the
month, compared to a decrease of 0.4% recorded in September of last year. As a
result, prices on average, as measured by the HICP, were 1.0% lower in
September compared with September 2009.
The most notable changes in the year were increases in Education (+9.5%),
Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (+8.5%) and Communications
(+2.9%). There were decreases in Clothing & Footwear (-7.4%), Furnishings,
Household Equipment & Routine Household Maintenance (-3.7%) and
Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (-3.1%).
The annual rate of inflation for Services was 2.1% in the year to September, while
Goods decreased by 1.6%.
The most significant monthly price changes were decreases in Transport (-1.6%)
and Miscellaneous Goods &Services (-0.4%). There was an increase in Clothing
& Footwear (+4.5%).
The main factors contributing to the monthly change were as follows:
_ Transport fell mainly due to decreases in airfares.
_ Miscellaneous Goods &Services fell due to lower charges for medical
insurance.
_ Clothing & Footwear rose due to a further recovery in prices
following the traditional summer sales.
The CPI excluding tobacco index for September decreased by 0.2% in the month
and was up by 0.4% in the year. The CPI excluding energy products fell by 0.2%
in the month and decreased by 0.2% in the year. The CPI excluding mortgage interest decreased by 0.2% in the month and was down by 0.9% in the year.
For more information, contact Dympna Corry at 021 453 5128 or Noreen Dorgan at 021 453 5427.
Central Bank of Ireland launches €15 silver proof coin
Central Bank of Ireland launches €15 silver proof coin
The Central Bank of Ireland 13 October 2010) launched a limited edition €15 silver proof collector coin. The coin features the design of an Irish hunter horse pictured alongside its foal and honours the first coins of the Irish Free State issued in 1928.
The coin, designed by Emmet Mullins, is a modern interpretation of the original horse design which featured on the half crown by renowned designer Percy Metcalfe and is the first in a three-year series to be followed by the salmon and Irish wolfhound in 2011 and 2012.
Speaking at the launch, the Governor of the Central Bank, Patrick Honohan said: ‘The first coins of the Irish Free State were released in 1928, each of which featured an animal design on its reverse. The designs by Percy Metcalfe were chosen for their depiction of agriculture which was essential to the economy of Ireland at the time. In honour of these designs, the Central Bank of Ireland is issuing three limited edition coins over the next three years. The designs chosen remain synonymous with many aspects of Irish life today including agriculture, sporting and tourism activities.’
To mark the launch, a special presentation of the coin was made to the Assistant Commissioner of An Garda Síochána, Michael Feehan who received the coin on behalf of the Mounted Support Unit.
The €15 silver proof coin, which has an issue limit of 15,000 units is available to the public from 14 October at a cost of €36 per coin. Each coin is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity specifying the quality of the coins and the limited issue. The coin can be purchased directly from the Central Bank of Ireland, Dame Street, Dublin or by calling 1890 307 607. Orders can also be placed by downloading an order form from www.centralbank.ie
October 7 2010
ECB INTEREST RATES REMAINS UNCHANGED
At today’s meeting the Governing Council of the ECB decided that the interest rate on the main refinancing operations and the interest rates on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility will remain unchanged at 1.00%, 1.75% and 0.25% respectively
Keane PR and INSOMNIA COFFEE
Keane PR announce that it has been commissioned by Insomnia Coffee Company www.insomnia.ie to roll out a consumer awareness campaign
August 2010
URGENT SAFETY WARNING CARBON MONOXIDE
URGENT SAFETY WARNING CARBON MONOXIDED
The Registered Gas Installers www.rgii.ie have issued warning
http://www.rgii.ie/news/urgent-safety-warning.6141.html
ID BADGES
ID BADGES.... The DBC Group www.dbcgroup.ie 353 1 4602200 are the authorised distributors for Evolis Card Printers –personalised PVC cards, http://www.dbcgroup.ie/2010/06/evolis-a-success-story/
AUGUST 2010
ANNUAL CONSUMER PRICES INDEX FALL BY 0.1% July 2010
http://www.cso.ie/releasespublications/documents/prices/2010/Prices/cons...
Consumer Prices in July, as measured by the CPI, remained unchanged in the
month. This compares to a decrease of 0.8% recorded in July of last year. As a
result, prices on average, as measured by the CPI, were 0.1% lower in July compared
with July 2009.
The EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) decreased by 0.1% in the
month, compared to a decrease of 0.8% recorded in July of last year. As a result,
prices on average, as measured by the HICP, were 1.2% lower in July compared
with July 2009.
The most notable changes in the year were decreases in Clothing & Footwear
(-8.5%), Food &Non-Alcoholic Beverages (-3.8%) and Furnishings, Household
Equipment &Routine Household Maintenance (-3.4%). There were increases in
Education (+9.2%), Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (+5.5%)
and Transport (+2.7%).
The annual rate of inflation for Services was 1.4% in the year to July, while
Goods decreased by 2.0%.
The most significant monthly price changes were decreases in Clothing & Footwear
(-7.1%) and Furnishings, Household Equipment & Routine Household
Maintenance (-0.3%). There were increases in Communications (+2.8%), Miscellaneous
Goods &Services (+0.5%), Alcoholic Beverages &Tobacco (+0.5%)
and Health (+0.5%).
The main factors contributing to the monthly change were as follows:
_ Clothing & Footwear and Furnishings, Household Equipment &
Routine Household Maintenance fell due to sales.
_ Communications rose due to increases in landline and mobile phone
charges.
_ Miscellaneous Goods &Services rose mainly due to an increase in the
cost of home insurance.
_ Alcoholic Beverages &Tobacco rose due to higher tobacco prices and
increases in the price of wine sold in off licences and supermarkets.
_ Health rose due to an increase in hospital charges.
The CPI excluding tobacco index for July showed no change in the month and
was down by 0.2% in the year. The CPI excluding energy products showed no
change in the month and decreased by 1.1% in the year. The CPI excluding mortgage
interest showed no change in the month and was down by 1.0% in the year.
http://www.cso.ie/releasespublications/documents/prices/2010/Prices/cons...
Employer Job (PRSI) Incentive Scheme 2010
Employer Job (PRSI) Incentive Scheme 2010 http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/JobseekerSupports/BackToWork/EmployerJo...
TEC Security CCTV and Datascan on line Digital Document Management
Datascan www.datascan.ie provides Document Management Services and has recently signed up TEC Security www.tecsecurity.ie for their online Document Management Service. TEC Security www.tecsecurity.ie will be using Datascan www.datascan.ie for end-to-end document management services. Datascan www.datascan.ie online hosting solution will form a key element of TEC Security’s Disaster Prevention and Recovery plan by preventing the loss of potentially important CCTV footage. TEC Security www.tecsecurity.ie is the leading provider of litter monitoring systems in Ireland, capturing illegal dumping incidents at recycling centres all over the country on behalf of City and County Councils.
CLEAR CUSTOMER COMMUNICATIONS
Clear Ink's "Marketing on a shoestring:using social media to get your message out" courses now booking for August 25 and September 15th.
Dublin city centre venue. Special price of €175. For more information and bookings contact: margaret@clearink.ie
If you would like to learn more about clear customer communications please link to this story on our website:
http://clearink.ie/clear-customer-communication-top-10-tips/
JUNE 2010
PUBLIC FINANCES IN EMU 2010
Public Finances in EMU 2010 Report Page 244
Main conclusions for Ireland:
Housing boom fuelled external imbalances
Policy response and relative price adjustments should help rebalance growth
Fiscal consolidation and broadening the tax base have a role to play in short to medium term
Lasting improvement needs structural policies
Sectoral re-allocation of labour needs support for re- and up-skilling of newly unemployed
Productivity-enhancing measures and adequate wage policies important for return to growth
http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/publications/european_economy/2010/p...
JUNE 2010
IRISH EMPLOYMENT FALLS BY 5.5% 2010 on 2009
Quarterly National Household Survey Quarter 1 2010
Employment falls by 5.5% in the year
There were 1,857,600 persons in employment in the first quarter of 2010, an annual decrease of 108,000 or 5.5%. This compares with an annual decrease in employment of 8.1% in the previous quarter and a decline of 7.5% in the year to the first quarter of 2009.
There was an annual decrease of 80,400 or 7.5% in the number of men in employment, while the number of women in employment decreased by 27,500 or 3.1%.
Number of unemployed increases to more than 275,000
There were 194,900 males and 80,200 females unemployed in the first quarter of 2010, bringing the total number of unemployed up to 275,000, an increase of 52,200 (+23.4%) in the year. The number of unemployed males increased by 36,500 (+23.0%), with female unemployment increasing by 15,700 (+24.3%).
On a seasonally adjusted basis the number of persons unemployed decreased by 7,300 between Q4 2009 and Q1 2010.
Long-term unemployment rate increases to 5.3%
In the year to Q1 2010, the number of long-term unemployed persons increased by 63,500, bringing total long-term unemployment to 112,600. The long-term unemployment rate now stands at 5.3% compared with 2.2% in the first quarter of 2009. As of Q1 2010, long-term unemployment accounted for 40.9% of total unemployment compared with 22.0% a year earlier.
JUNE 2010
STARTING AN IRISH BUSINESS
STARTING A BUSINESS
The Guide to Self Employment is available on the Publications section of the Department of Social Protection website at: 'www.welfare.ie'
Castle Company Formations 15 College Green Dublin 2 www.castle.ie will help with the legal stuff 353 (1) 6793561
JUNE 2010
INNOVATION AND THE IRISH MANAGER
Remarks by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe TD, at the launch of IMI/IDA Ireland Report on Innovation and the Irish Manager
‘Innovation and the Irish Manager’.
This research provides us with an important insight into how Irish entrepreneurs think and act.
The findings in this report show that we have the workers with the characteristics needed to build the ‘smart’ economy and increase productivity and innovation across all sectors of the economy.
We are an entrepreneurial nation.
Entrepreneurs starting businesses as percentage of the population is 4.3pc in Ireland compared to just 2.7pc across the European Union and 2.9pc in the UK.
The rate of established entrepreneurs in Ireland at 9pc is one of the highest across the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Many innovations start with small companies and start-ups and high-potential growth firms play a critical role in the economy.
Entrepreneurs stimulate innovation and transformation in established companies, including multinationals.
Interestingly, half of all entrepreneurs in Ireland have, at one point, worked for a multinational company.
It is clear that stimulating innovation is important in all areas of economy - both in indigenous and multinational companies.
Evidence shows that research and development-performing firms are showing higher growth over recent years than non-research and development-performing firms.
But the ‘smart’ economy is not just about formal research and development.
It is about people thinking smarter and working smarter across all sectors of the economy.
This research provides us with an important insight into what distinguishes us from our international peers and how we can nurture and support those qualities to increase our competitive advantage.
We hear stories about how the Irish get along with anyone.
The research shows that the managers and executives involved valued their relationships as highly as they valued their ideas.
This supports much anecdotal evidence about Irish business people.
The research also shows that we Irish think and act in a unique and agile way.
IDA Ireland has used the Irish mind theme in a very successful international marketing campaign.
It has developed the concept further with its current campaign, ‘Innovation
- It’s In Our Nature’.
Through this research, these anecdotal claims have now been scientifically analysed and upheld by the findings in this report.
If we look at some of the key findings, the emergence of a signature mindset is clearly evident.
The Irish entrepreneur is strongly people-oriented, finds personal inspiration through innovation and is more likely to be individualistic and self-reliant than their international peers.
Irish entrepreneurs are more imaginative and intuitive.
What is striking about the research findings is the ability of the Irish to handle complexity and ambiguity - what James Joyce called ‘two thoughts at a time’.
Our Irishness is a significant factor in our success in attracting foreign direct investment and embedding some of the world’s leading companies here in Ireland.
Time after time, the Irish and their candid approach and flexibility have been cited as reasons the Irish subsidiary of a multinational company wins further investment or gets a new, more strategic, mandate.
There was a strong recognition at the Farmleigh Forum that Irish culture is a unique aspect of Irishness that cannot be replicated by our international peers.
The Government is committed to fostering the innovative talent inherent in the Irish entrepreneur and Irish manager.
Our aim is that by 2020 Ireland will have a significant number of large world-leading innovation-intensive companies.
These companies will provide high-quality employment, be export orientated and vary in scale and activity.
Some of these companies will be Irish-owned.
All will be innovative.
The Innovation Taskforce stressed the relationship of Irish culture to enterprise and employment.
I am delighted to be chairing the Innovation Taskforce Implementation Group.
The Taskforce has proposed recommendations across a wide range of issues that will re-focus and re-invigorate all parts of the innovation ecosystem around the needs of the entrepreneur and enterprise.
We must ensure that entrepreneurial individuals are identified, appreciated and cultivated.
We depend on them to raise our performance in business nationally and internationally.
Before I finish, I want to thank the Irish executives and entrepreneurs who gave of their time and participated in a battery of personality tests.
You have given us a unique insight in to what makes Irish entrepreneurs tick.
I want to commend IMI and IDA Ireland for undertaking this innovative research and, in particular, Dr Andrew McLaughlin and Megan Burgdoff.
Minister Batt O'Keeffe TD
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Kildare St Dublin 2
MARCH 2010
CLOUD COMPUTING IRELAND
Minister Eamon Ryan commends IIA Cloud Computing Whitepaper.
A first-of-its-kind analysis of the Cloud Computing opportunity for the Irish market, "Cloud Business" is written specifically for Irish SMEs and Enterprises. It can be downloaded from the IIA website.
The whitepaper was driven and shaped by market research commissioned by the Irish Internet Association in August 2009 which discovered that 54% of respondents did not have a clear understanding of cloud computing; how it works and the advantages, efficiencies and savings that it brings to Irish businesses.
One of the whitepaper's first and notable successes is the adoption of an Irish industry accepted definition of Cloud Computing to overcome this market confusion. This definition has been accepted and endorsed by Enterprise Ireland, the IDA, the Irish Software Association, ICT Ireland and the Irish Internet Association as the accepted Irish standard.
"This collaboration between all the major Irish IT industry groups is unparalleled", says Joan Mulvihill, CEO of the IIA, "Progressive and proactive steps in Cloud Computing will give Irish enterprises the opportunity to be early adopters and to drive competitiveness. This is what our working group set out to achieve and this whitepaper is pivotal to starting the commercial debate."
Communications Minister Eamon Ryan welcomed the publication of the White Paper and said, "The Irish Government has identified cloud computing as a key driver of our economic renewal. Not only does this emerging technology afford our ICT sector huge opportunities, but it has the potential to transform the way we, in Government and in the wider economy, do business. In 'Technology Actions to support the Knowledge Economy', we set out our strategy to establish Ireland as a global location for green data centres and cloud computing. This makes sense. With its temperate climate and established ICT industry, Ireland has an opportunity to become a world leader in energy-efficient, grid-computed services. I must commend the Irish Internet Association for producing this comprehensive Paper, which is a valuable resource in furthering our cloud computing plans."
The composition of the IIA's working group deliberately included both cloud computing vendors and cloud computing customers. By representing both perceptions and perspectives, the output is a balanced representation of Cloud Computing. The working group comprises of nineteen individuals from world leading cloud vendors like Google, IBM, Salesforce and Microsoft and successful enterprise customers like McCormick Macnaughton, elan, Jones Engineering, Kepak, who have come together to share their expertise for a common goal.
The whitepaper addresses three core issues:
1. Cloud computing and its 'fit' for Irish SMEs.
2. Challenges to adoption. Namely, security, broadband reliability, performance and general commercial concerns.
3. Interrogation of the benefits of the major selling points of cloud computing - Cost efficiency, Globalisation, Environmental benefits.
"Cloud computing is a greatly hyped innovation", explains Gerry Power of Sysco and chairperson of the working group, "This Whitepaper has been prepared to go beyond this hype and assist businesses in the critical evaluation of Cloud Computing for their operations. We have taken a pragmatic approach to get beyond the hype - by questioning the perceived benefits in the context of Ireland and also addressing all the major obstacles."
The whitepaper's conclusion is that cloud computing is a compelling IT innovation for the business community although it lacks maturity in a number of areas. The working group is confident these issues will be resolved as more and more companies trial and execute cloud applications and as new standards, particularly security standards, are introduced. It is hoped that this document delivers an element of clarity and comfort to any companies seriously considering doing business in the cloud and will act as a useful guide to reference when decisions are required.
"Cloud Business" is a free publication for IIA members or can be purchased online at www.iia.ie for €295 for non-members. It can be downloaded at www.iia.ie/events/event/264/iia-cloud-computing-white-paper/. All press enquiries will be sent a free copy.
The IIA Working Group on Cloud Computing consists of the following individuals:
• Neil Delaney, Enterprise Sales & Operations Manager, Google
• Wayne Leone, Cloud Lab Manager, IBM
• Cormac Keogh, Architect Advisor, Microsoft
• Joe McNally, Sales Engineer Manager, Salesforce
• Brian Grant, Architect Advisor, Oracle
• Christophe Dobroshke, VMWare
• Michael Higgins, CTO, Advanced Innovations, Inc.
• Paul Norton, IT Manager, Jones Engineering
• Suzie Walsh, IT Manager, McCormick Macnaughton
• Brona Kernan, CIO, Irish Times
• Trevor Dagg, elan
• Mark Greville, Merrill Lynch
• Don Ryan, Premier Recruitment
• Ruari Roddy, CTO, Thomas Crosbie Holdings
• Sean Hickey, Head of IT, Kepak
• Paul Tully, IT Infrastructure Manager, O2
• Lavinia Morris, IT Infrastructure Manager, Friend's First
• Gerry Power, Consultant, Sysco (Chair)
10th July 2009
NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT SURVEY IRELAND 2007
The National Employment Survey is a major workplace and earnings survey conducted by the Central Statistics Office and the results for 2007 have been published today. The survey provides detailed comparisons on the factors that influence individual employee earnings. The results have been compiled on the basis of earnings data provided by employers and individual data collected directly by the CSO from a sub-sample of employees. The CSO wishes to thank the employers and employees who provided information for the survey.
The results show that:
•Employees earned an average of €20.08 per hour in October 2007. Men earned €21.17 per hour and women earned €18.91 per hour (89.3% of male hourly earnings).
•Half of all employees earned less than €16.29 per hour (i.e. the median hourly earnings figure).
•Average hourly earnings for full-time workers were €21.17 while part-time workers received an average of €15.40 per hour.
•The average working week was 34.4 hours. Men worked an average of 38.0 hours and women 30.7 hours per week.
•Public sector average hourly earnings were 47.6% higher that the private sector in October 2007. Average earnings per hour in the public sector were €26.67 compared to €18.07 per hour in the private sector. Nearly a quarter (24.5%) of private sector employees consisted of Sales and Other occupations (mainly manual labour) compared with only 8.1% of employees in the public sector.
•A profile of educational qualifications in the public and private sectors shows over half (52.8%) of all public sector employees had third-level qualifications, compared with 31.9% in the private sector.
•Public sector workers have spent an average of 11.6 years in their current employment while in the private sector employees have spent an average of 8.2 years in their current employment.
•The average employee has been working for just over 15.1 years and has spent about 9.0 years in his/her current employment.
•Average earnings per hour were highest in the Education sector at €33.23 per hour followed by the Electricity, gas and water supply sector at €30.96. The lowest average hourly earnings were in the Hotels and restaurants sector, at €12.93 per hour.
•Professional employees earned the highest hourly earnings of €33.61 while Sales workers had the lowest earnings at €14.08 per hour.
•Educational qualifications had a strong influence on earnings potential as employees who had a third level degree or higher tended to have higher earnings than other employees and this difference increased with age. Employees aged under 25 years with a third level degree or higher qualification earned €17.57 per hour compared to those with a higher secondary (Leaving Certificate) qualification who earned €12.31 per hour. This gap had widened to €42.21 and €20.97 respectively for employees aged 50 to 60 years.
•Employees living in Dublin earned €22.03 per hour compared with €1 - €3 less for those living in the Rest of Leinster, Munster and Connaught (€20.29, €19.07 and €18.83 respectively). Employees in Ulster (including those living in Northern Ireland and working in the Republic of Ireland) earned €17.59 per hour.
•Average annual earnings were €37,726 in 2007, this figure was composed of €35,607 basic earnings and €2,120 annual bonuses and BIK (Benefit in Kind). Earnings were highest in the Electricity, gas and water supply sector at €71,572 and lowest in the Hotels and restaurants sector at €23,505.
•A comparison of NES results show that earnings per hour rose from €19.16 in October 2006 to €20.08 in October 2007. Hours per week fell slightly from 34.8 hours per week in October 2006 to 34.4 hours in October 2007.
•More analysis of the NES data will be carried out in July 2009 and published thereafter. This analysis will further examine the differences in earnings.
DUBLIN BID & SUBSTANCE MISUSE & HOMELESSNESS
April 2009... As part of Dublin BID ‘Community Benefit' remit, DBID recently formed a new long-term partnership with the Ana Liffey Drug Project (ALDP) to work with them in developing long-lasting solutions to reduce the problems for those directly affected by substance misuse and homelessness and for the broader community in the city centre
Ana Liffey Drug Project (ALDP)... Tony Duffin 01 878 6899 http://www.aldp.ie/
48 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1
Other organisations involved in elimination of Substance Misuse and Homelessness.
Peter McVerry Trust... Fr.Peter McVerry 01 2830745 http://www.welcomehome.ie/frpetermcverry.htm
9 Annsbrook Clonskeagh Dublin14
Merchants Quay Ireland... Tony Geoghegan 01 5240160 http://www.mqi.ie/page.php?id=13 4 Merchant’s Quay Dublin 8
Capuchin Day Centre... Brother Kevin Crowley ofm cap 01 8720770 http://www.homeless.ie/
29 Bow Street Dublin 7.
Focus Ireland Sr.Stanislaus Kennedy http://www.focusireland.ie/index.php/a-message-from-sr-stanislaus-kenned...
http://www.focusireland.ie/index.php/about-us has a number of main offices throughout the country
Dublin 9 - 12 High Street Christchurch Dublin 8 Tel. 01 881 5900
Please email John Ellis Suppliers.ie info@suppliers.ie with further information
MARCH 2009 UNEMPLOYMENT RATE RISES TO 11.0%
1st April 2009.....Live Register March 2009
Standardised unemployment rate rises to 11.0% in March
The seasonally adjusted Live Register total increased from 352,800 in February to 372,800 in March, an increase of 20,000.
In the year to March 2009, there was an unadjusted increase of 173,279 (+87.5%).
This compares with an unadjusted increase of 164,952 (+87.1%) in the year to February 2009.
Other features include:
_ The monthly increase in the seasonally adjusted series consisted of an increase of 13,900 males and an increase of 6,000 females.
_ The standardised unemployment rate in March was 11.0%. This
compares with 7.7% in the fourth quarter of 2008, the latest seasonally adjusted unemployment rate from the Quarterly National Household Survey.
_ In the month, the estimated number of casual and part-time workers on the Live Register was 31,384 males and 28,449 females.
The Live Register is not designed to measure unemployment. It includes part-time workers (those who work up to three days a week), seasonal and casual workers entitled to Jobseekers Benefit or Allowance.
Unemployment is measured by the Quarterly National Household Survey and the latest seasonally adjusted figure, for September to November 2008, is 170,700 persons unemployed.
http://www.cso.ie/releasespublications/documents/labour_market/2009/lreg...
MONEY BACK IF YOU LOSE YOUR JOB
In an attempt to encourage people to buy cars …..Some car dealers in USA will now allow buyers to return a vehicle within a year if they can't make the payments due to a job loss or disability.
CREDIT INSTITUTIONS (FINANCIAL SUPPORT) BILL 2008
2nd October 2008……..The Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008 was signed into law by the President today protecting customers in six Irish banks.
The fallout from a collapse of the banking system would have been unthinkable.
Business depends on the banking system and will be relieved with this initiative which provides banking certainty and may also kick-start recovery from the recession.
A number of risks have been removed:
• The bank clearing system will not be interrupted.
• Money in current accounts and other bank debts are guaranteed
• Deposit accounts are secure.
POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL RELIEF FOR MORTGAGE HOLDERS NOT INCLUDED
The following ammendment does not appear to be included:
As part of this guarantee, a requirement may be placed on the credit institutions, as defined in the bill, to negotiate with mortgage holders on low incomes, and at risk of losing their homes, a plan for the reasonable repayment of their mortgage, using whatever means necessary, including the aid of the State agencies
http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/bills28/bills/2008/4508/b45a08d.pdf
http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=10023&&CatID=59
SEPTEMBER 2008 UNEMPLOYMENT RATE RISES TO 6.3%
1st October 2008.......Standardised unemployment rate rises to 6.3% in September
The seasonally adjusted Live Register total increased from 235,100 in August to 244,500 in September, an increase of 9,400.
In the year to September 2008, there was an unadjusted increase of 79,565(+49.5%). This compares with an unadjusted increase of 73,178 (+42.0%) in the year to August 2008.
Other features include:
_ The monthly increase in the seasonally adjusted series consisted of an increase of 5,800 males and an increase of 3,500 females.
_ The standardised unemployment rate in September was 6.3%.This compares with 5.1% in the second quarter of 2008, the latest seasonally adjusted unemployment rate from the Quarterly National Household Survey.
_ In the month, the estimated number of casual and part-time workers on the Live Register was 12,700 males and 15,521 females.
The Live Register is not designed to measure unemployment. It includes part-time workers (those who work up to three days a week), seasonal and casual workers entitled to Jobseekers Benefit or Allowance. Unemployment is measured by the Quarterly National Household Survey and the latest seasonally adjusted figure, for March to May 2008, is 115,100 persons unemployed.
http://www.cso.ie/releasespublications/documents/labour_market/2008/lreg...
Click here for Live Register, September 2008
DOES THE RECESSION MATTER
Adam is an angel and lives on a cloud and makes his Mummy and Daddy so proud.
With long golden hair you just could not miss, he always has time for a hug and a kiss.
The message he sends from his cloud every day, is to spend more time with each other and play.
The most important thing in life's simply this, Show your love for your family with a hug and a kiss.
Barretstown
Founded by Paul Newman in 1994, Barretstown exists to improve the quality of life of children with serious illness by providing life changing programmes of therapeutic recreation which aim to rebuild their confidence, trust and self esteem.
Hospitals take care of the physical effect of serious illness; Barretstown helps to heal the emotional scars.
Visit the website at : www.barretstown.org
IRELAND POSSIBLY FIRST EUROZONE MEMBER TO OFFICIALLY FALL INTO RECESSION DURING Q1 Q2 2008
25th September 2008……………GDP declines by 0.8 % in Q2 2008
In the second quarter of 2008 GDP decreased by 0.8 per cent at constant prices compared with the same period in 2007 while GNP decreased by 2.1 per cent in volume over the same period.
This is the second successive quarter in which GDP showed a decrease compared with the same quarter of the previous year.
The profits of foreign owned enterprises are excluded from GNP. These profits were relatively high in the second quarter of 2008 resulting in a significant decrease in GNP. GNP is also affected by other income flows between residents and non-residents and the timing of these flows can be variable.
Some of the main features of the results are:
• Consumer spending (personal consumption of goods and services) in volume terms was 1.4 per cent lower in Q2 2008 compared with the same period of the previous year.
• Capital investment, in constant prices, was 18.8 per cent lower in Q2 2008 than in Q2 2007. There were significant declines in house building as well as in the acquisition of transport equipment and machinery and equipment compared to the same period of last year.
• Net Exports (exports minus imports) in constant prices were €1,242 million higher in Q2 2008 compared with Q2 2007.
• The volume of output of Industry (incl. Construction) increased by 1 per cent in Q2 2008 compared with Q2 2007. Within this the output of the Construction sector fell by 12.2 per cent over the same period.
• Output of Distribution, Transport and Communications was down 4.3 per cent while Output of Other Services was 2.5 per cent higher in the second quarter of 2008 compared with the same period of last year.
Seasonally adjusted series
On a seasonally adjusted basis GDP decreased by 0.5 per cent in volume terms while GNP decreased by 3.1 per cent in the second quarter of 2008 compared with the previous quarter.
Click here for Quarterly National Accounts Q2 2008 provided by CSO
http://www.cso.ie/releasespublications/documents/economy/2008/qna_q22008...
TOWARDS 2016
22nd September 2008……………National pay talks on the next module of “Towards 2016” have concludes and a draft “Heads of agreement” produced which must be ratified by the social partners.
COMMENCMENT DATE
If ratified the agreement would take effect from the expiry of the first 27 months module of “Towards 2016”
Some agreements expired in early 2008 and backdated payments could be due.
Agreements ending on 31 January 2008 will attract back pay of 3.5% on pay for from May2008 to date.
INABILITY TO PAY
Independent assessors must be engaged by employers to verify their inability to pay and the A decision of the LRC and ultimately the Labour Court could be invoked.
PAY PAUSE
3 months in private sector
11 months in Public sector
WAGE INCREASE
Providing for a pay increase of 6% for all workers to be paid over 21 months
3.5% for six months followed by 2.5% for the remaining 12 months.
(this will amount to annualised 3.5%)
An additional half percent will apply for low paid workers (those earning less than €11 per hour or €22500PA) in the final phase
OTHER ISSUES
Discussions will commence on protection of workers’ rights and employment standards.
• Provisions to prevent employers using temporary “agency” workers to break strikes.
• A statutory prohibition on the victimisation of trade union members and inducements to encourage trade union members to leave their unions.
• commitments on public service modernisation to reflect the OECD report.
• Enforcement of employment rights based legislation to give powers to The National Employment Rights Authority (NERA)
Employment Law Compliance Bill 2008 is overdue http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewpda.asp?DocID=9086&&CatID=59
The unions had been seeking enforcement of rights for employees including the introduction of mandatory collective bargaining and equal rights for “Agency” workers.
The minimum wage rate will also be clarified as it was due for review.
Check back later for updates
This News You Can Use is sponsored by Agency Group www.agency.ie
Further info available 353 1 6793561 or email update@agency.ie
NERA
The National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) was established under the Social Partnership Agreement "Towards 2016" to achieve a national culture of employment rights compliance.
NERA provides information to employees and employers through its information unit, monitors employment conditions through its inspection services and can enforce compliance and seek redress.
NERA covers many aspects of employment rights including Wages, Annual Leave, Working Hours, Redundancy, Dismissal, and Notice.
http://www.employmentrights.ie/en/
Inflation remains below 5% at 4.3% in August 2008
11th September 2008 ......Annual Inflation falls slightly to 4.3% in August
Consumer Prices in August, as measured by the CPI, increased by 0.5% in the month. This is the same as the increase recorded in August of last year. The annual rate of inflation fell to 4.3%, down from 4.4% in July 2008.
The EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) showed no change in the month, compared to an increase of 0.4% in August 2007. As a result, the annual rate of inflation, as measured by the HICP, decreased from 3.6% in July to 3.2% in August.
The most notable changes in the year were increases in Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (+11.5%), Education (+6.5%), Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+6.4%) and Health (+6.3%). There were decreases in Clothing & Footwear (-5.1%) and Furnishings, Household Equipment & Routine Household Maintenance (-1.9%).
The annual rate of inflation for Services was 5.3% in August, while Goods increased by 3.5% in the year.
The most significant monthly price changes were increases in Clothing & Footwear +5.8%), Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (+2.5%) and Health (+0.8%). There were decreases in Transport (-1.6%) and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (-0.3%).
The main factors contributing to the monthly change were as follows:
_ Clothing & Footwear rose following the conclusion of some summer sales.
_ Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels increased due to
higher average mortgage interest repayments and higher electricity
prices. These were partially offset by decreases in the cost of home heating oil and private rents.
_ Transport fell due to lower petrol and diesel prices and airfare
charges.
_ Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages fell due to price decreases across a range of products including beef, lamb, poultry, fresh fruit and vegetables.
The CPI excluding tobacco index for August increased by 0.5% in the month and was up 4.3% in the year. The CPI excluding energy products index was up by 0.6% since July and increased by 3.6% in the year. The CPI excluding mortgage interest showed no change in the month and rose by 3.2% in the year.
Click here for Annual Inflation figures August 2008
http://www.cso.ie/releasespublications/documents/prices/2008/Prices/cons...
The LHC project may spark an interest in study of physics
10 September 2008........ scientists at CERN in Geneva,Switzerland attempted for the first time to circulate a beam in the Large Hadron Collider. The LHC is the world’s most
powerful particle accelerator, and will produce beams seven times more energetic, and around 30 times more intense than any previous machine when it reaches design performance.
visit http://lhc-first-beam.web.cern.ch/lhc-first-beam/Welcome.html
New Scientist Article
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn14699
UNEMPLOYMENT RISES TO 6.1% in AUGUST 2008
3rd. September 2008.........Standardised unemployment rises to 6.1% in August
The seasonally adjusted Live Register total increased from 226,000 in July to 235,100 in August, an increase of 9,100.
In the year to August 2008, there was an unadjusted increase of 73,178 (+42.0%).
This compares with an unadjusted increase of 63,647 (+36.5%) in the year to July 2008.
Other features include:
The monthly increase in the seasonally adjusted series consisted of an increase of 7,400 males and an increase of 1,700 females.
The standardised unemployment rate in August was 6.1%. This compares with 5.1% in the second quarter of 2008, the latest seasonallya djusted unemployment rate from the Quarterly National Household Survey.
In the month, the estimated number of casual and part-time workers on the Live Register was 12,047 males and 14,921 females.
The Live Register is not designed to measure unemployment. It includes part-time workers (those who work up to three days a week), seasonal and casual workers entitled to Jobseekers Benefit or Allowance. Unemployment is measured by the Quarterly National Household Survey and the latest seasonally adjusted figure, for March to May 2008, is 115,100 persons unemployed.
Click here for Live Register, August 2008
http://www.cso.ie/releasespublications/documents/labour_market/2008/lreg...
CONSUMER SENTIMENT INDEX, AUGUST 2008
25th August 2008 .............Consumer sentiment improved in August.
The overall Consumer Sentiment Index stood at 43.4 in August, compared to a figure of 39.6 in July. The corresponding figure for August 2007 was 72.0. The 3-month moving average fell to 41.7 from the 43.5 recorded in July. The 3-month moving average stood at 76.6 in August 2007.
Austin Hughes – Chief Economist, IIB Bank – (01) 664 6889
David Duffy – Economist – ESRI – (01) 863 2000
http://www.esri.ie/irish_economy/consumer_sentiment/latest_consumer_sent...?
MANUFACTURING PRICES DOWN 2.6% July 2008
21st August 2008………………………CSO figures released
Annual Manufacturing Prices down 2.6% in July
Monthly factory gate prices decreased by 0.8% in July 2008. This compares to a decrease of 1.0% recorded for July 2007. As a result, the annual percentage change showed a decrease of 2.6% in July 2008, compared with a decrease of 2.8% in June 2008.
In the month, the price index for export sales decreased by 1.0% while the index for home sales decreased by 0.1%. In the year there was a decrease in the price index for export sales of 4.6% and an increase of 5.8% in respect of the price index for home sales.
In the month the most significant changes were decreases in Basic chemicals(-1.6%), Office machinery and computers (-1.8%), and Pharmaceuticals and other chemical products (incl. man-made fibres) (-1.6%), while there was an increase in Basic metals (+12.6%).
Contributing to the annual change were decreases in Office machinery andco mputers (-14.3%), and Basic chemicals (-6.1%), while there were increases in Meat and meat products (+12.2%), and Other food products (+6.0%).
The yearly price index for Mining and quarrying decreased by 11.8% while there was a monthly increase of 1.6%.
A further analysis of Wholesale price changes by sector of use shows that:
Building and Construction All material prices increased by 4.5% in the year since July 2007. The most notable yearly changes were increases in Reinforcing metal (+28.5%), Bituminous emulsions
(+28.1%), and Structural steel (+20.7%). Building and Construction
All material prices increased by 0.6% in July 2008. See Table 3.
Year on year, the price of Capital Goods increased by 2.9%, while there was a monthly price increase of 0.2%.
The price of Energy products increased by 6.5% in the year since July 2007, while Petroleum fuels increased by 40.1%. In July 2008, there was a monthly increase in Energy products of 1.4%, while Petroleum fuels increased by 4.2%.
Click here for Wholesale Price Index, July 2008
http://www.cso.ie/releasespublications/documents/prices/2008/wpi_jul2008...
UNEMPLOYMENT RISES TO 5.1%
20th August 2008………………………CSO figures released
Seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rises to 5.1% in Q2
The total number of persons in the labour force in the second quarter of 2008 was 2,223,900, representing an increase of 22,000 or 1.0% over the year.
This compares with an annual labour force growth of 4.2% or 88,000 in the second quarter of 2007. The overall participation rate for the second quarter of 2008 was 63.4%, compared with a rate of 63.7% for Q2 2007.
Employment grew by 6,900 or 0.3% over the year, bringing the total number of persons employed to 2,108,500.
The annual growth rate for Q2 2007 was 4.0%.
Female employment increased by 21,500 or 2.4% while male employment declined by 14,600 or 1.2% over the year.
Full-time employment decreased by 4,300 over the year, with male full-time employment falling by 19,500, partially offset by an increase of 15,200 for females.
Part-time employment increased by 11,100 with 6,200 of the increase attributable to females and 4,900 to males.
There were 115,500 persons unemployed in the second quarter of 2008, an increase of 15,200 in the year. All of the growth in unemployment was attributable to an increase in male unemployment (+18,000), while female unemployment fell by 2,800.
When seasonal factors are taken into account there was a quarterly increase of 7,700 in the numbers unemployed with the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increasing from 4.8% to 5.1% between the first and second quarters of 2008.
Employment in the Construction sector decreased by 26,800 or 9.5% in the year to the second quarter of 2008, compared with an annual growth rate of 6.3% to the second quarter of 2007. The annual decrease in construction was attributable to a decline in the number of male employees (-27,700).
Click here for Quarterly National Household Survey, Quarter 2 2008
http://www.cso.ie/releasespublications/documents/labour_market/2008/qnhs...
COST OF LIVING INDEX
8th August 2008............Cost of living index falls from 5% to 4.4% in July 2008 and it is difficult to predict the future.
European interest rates remain unchanged at 4.25% with indications of a fall in rates in the future.
AVERAGE INDUSTRIAL WAGE AND MINIMUM WAGE
The basis for extracting the Average Industrial Wage has changed in 2007 resulting in an increase of over 10% caused by the new statistics.
This has an effect on wage negations especially since the National Minimum Wage 2000 Act aspires to bring the minimum wage to 66.66% of the Average Industrial Wage.
The Average Industrial Wage is referred to in negotiations to review wages and an annual figure of Euro 33000PA was discussed during 2007.
The figure of 38000PA used in 2008 shows an increase of 15% despite the fact that the average awards under “Towards 2016” were about 5%PA
The average is extracted from Central Statistics Office (CSO) reports.
The Average Industrial Wage referred to in 2000 act is The Quarterly Industrial Inquiry and this statistic has been discontinued from Q3 2007 and is replaced by the new Earnings, Hours and Employment Costs Survey (EHECS). http://www.cso.ie/releasespublications/documents/earnings/current/earnla...
The 2008 figure of Euro38000 appears to be based on the average of the 4 quarterly average weekly earnings in this report Euro 736.18PW
Average weekly earnings of industrial workers Statistics are only available to 2006 http://www.cso.ie/statistics/industrial_earnings.htm
The 2007 figure of Euro 33000 is generally based on the average weekly earnings 2006 Euro 624.45PW using this earlier system
The National Minimum Wage of Euro 8.65 per hour is also under review and the 2000 Act aspires to bring the minimum wage to 66.66% of the average industrial wage.
8.65 equates to 346PW 17992PA
54% of average industrial wage of 33000
47% of average industrial wage of 38000
7th August 2008............Cost of living index falls from 5% to 4.4% in July 2008 and it is difficult to predict the future.
European interest rates remain unchanged at 4.25% with indications of a fall in rates in the future.
SOCIAL PARTNERS PAY TALKS BREAK DOWN
6thAugust 2008........Unions intensify claims despite minimum wage being highest in Europe.
The private sector unions met today [6th August 2008] and are now intend pursuing individual claims of 5% and a flat weekly increase of Euro30 for lower paid workers.
Possible increase in Minimum Wage by 8.67%
The National Minimum Wage of Euro 8.65 per hour (17992PA 346PW or 54% approx of average industrial wage) would then increase by 75 Cent to 9.40 for existing workers.
This will make Ireland more uncompedative at a time we need more jobs.
A RETURN TO LOCAL BARGAINING COULD BE AVOIDED
August 2008 (Week 1).......A RETURN TO LOCAL BARGAINING COULD BE AVOIDED
A new collective agreement may still be possible and industrial unrest avoided.
“The glass is half full”
The reduction in the number of people earning is reducing the demand for goods and services and prices are falling.
Lower prices will allow people to survive on existing wages.
Increasing wages any further does not make any sense at this point as it would possibly fuel inflation and reduce competitiveness and employment.
A job at present wage rates is better than no job
Failure to reach agreement on a 21 month framework should not stop talks.
Talks could continue on a monthly basis leading to a new deadline of March 2009 at which stage the economy may show signs of recovery.
A new date would also allow for alignment of the final stages of the last agreement [some agreements have already ended and some workers are still covered to end in September 2008?]
Trades unions in Ireland are proposing a return to local bargaining against calls for wage restraint from other social partners.
Workers feel they are entitled to at least 5% wage increase together with a flat rate increase for all lower paid workers to bring them closer to the national industrial wage of Euro 33000PA approx 15.86 per hour.
CSO Statistics are only available up to 2006 http://www.cso.ie/statistics/industrial_earnings.htm
Manufacturing Industries - Average weekly earnings of industrial workers in each year €
Year 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Adult Males 512.38 538.38 564.90 588.92 609.91 624.45
Adult Females 347.32 365.18 393.78 406.83 430.23 451.12
The National Minimum Wage of Euro 8.65 per hour (17992PA 346PW or 54% approx of average industrial wage)is also under review and the 2000 Act aspires to bring the minimum wage to 66.66% of the average industrial wage.
Employers claim that a six month pay pause is necessary in light of the present economic difficulties.
SOCIAL PARTNERS PAY TALKS BREAK DOWN
August 2008 ...................Negotiations have broken down [deadline passed Friday 1st August 2008] in talks leading to a new National Wage Agreement [Pay deal]. The current “Pay Talks” were set against the revelation that “Ireland Inc.” has been heading into recession for almost two years. Staff employed by a leading estate agent have agreed to a ten percent wage reduction to avoid joining the growing number of redundant employees and several Companies have sought the protection of examinership or liquidation. Unemployment in at almost 6% and heading for 7%
The social partners include representatives from industry, the unions, charitable agencies and The Government
PAY
Employers were seeking a pay pause and rights to claim inability to pay in order to be competitive and to avoid comparative increase in public sector pay increases which will ultimately be a cost to the taxpayer.
Unions were seeking at least 5% increase in wages to cover inflation.
OTHER ISSUES
Unions were seeking:
Introduction of mandatory collective bargaining.
Equal rights for “Agency” workers.
The minimum wage rate will also be reviewed.
Minimum wages rate Euro 8.65 from 1st July 2007
(Previously 8.30 from 1st January 2007)
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REVIEWING PAY IRELAND 2008
Consult the employment contract for any reference to rules for "pay review". It should be noted that there is no obligation to mention "pay review" under The Terms of Employment Act 1994. The act states that an employee must be provided with a written statement of "Terms of Employment" within two months of commencement, however, it should be noted that there is no obligation to mention "pay review".
A number of areas must be considered when reviewing pay;
- Establish existing pay and benefits package
- Specific collective agreements relate to certain occupations
- Rules included in employment contract
- The Cost of living index
- National wages agreements
- Legislation increasing minimum pay
- Equal pay for equal work
- Merit
An organisation should establish a remuneration committee and commence the review a number of months before the review date.
Reviews: (excluding merit awards) during 2008 are likely to be around 5% and consider the following:-
Cost of living index: Moving towards an average 4.5% in 2007
National wages agreement:
A new national partnership agreement, "Towards 2016" was ratified in October 2006 as follows:
Phase 1: 3% of basic pay for six months
Phase 2: 2% of basic pay for nine months
(employees earning 10.25 per hour or less at start of second phase will receive an increase of 2.5%)
Phase 3: 2.5% of basic pay for six months
Phase 4: 2.5% of basic pay for six months
These increases were backdated to early 2006 for many workers and will equate to 5% on an annual basis in 2006 and 2007 or 10.38% over 27 months
"Sustaining Progress 2004/2005" 6% over 18 months equated to 3 to 4% on an annual basis
Minimum wages rate:Euro 7.65 applicable from May 2005 increased by 13% in 2007. The first increase was 8.5% to Euro 8.30 on 1st January 2007 followed by 4.21% to Euro 8.65 on 1st July 2007 (recent increases 2004 10% 2005 9%)
Ability to pay
An employer may claim inability to pay under two agreements in circumstances where this would result in a serious loss of competitiveness and employment.
- If a dispute arises out of a claim of inability to pay by an employer, the onus will be on the employer to convince the union of the case and provide supporting arguments and full disclosure to the union.
- If a dispute arise out of a claim by an employer that it is not possible to pay the terms of the agreement in full or that some cost saving measures are necessary to do so, again the onus is on the employer to provide support to this statement and full disclosure to the union.
Non-Taxable allowances
Non-Taxable allowances should also be included in the review.
For example the 2008 subsistence rates where an employee is away from their place of work are:
From 5-10 hours - Euro 18.21? 2007 17.60 2006 16.95
Over 10 hours - Euro 48.81? 2007 43.13 2006 41.55
Overnight - Euro 145.32? 2007 133.17
Further information is available on allowances.
EMPLOYMENT LAW COMPLIANCE BILL 2008
IMMIGRATION RESIDENCE PROTECTION BILL 2008
If you require any further information on the above article please contact info@agency.ie